Since Michelin-starred Nisei opened in August 2021 and its neighboring Bar Iris in October the same year, the modern Japanese duo has faced both acclaim and tragedy. Beloved Iris bar manager Ilya Romanov died tragically at the end of 2022, leaving a void in the team. As Nisei evolved, so too has Bar Iris risen from heartbreak, thanks to its strong team and visionary talent of current bar manager Timofei Osipenko. Read more →
Published January 2, 2024, at Distiller Magazine, my bottle review column (last month’s edition here) is about what is unique, standout, new and/or trending in spirits with my review ratings on a 1-5 rating scale. ARTICLE HERE: https://distilling.com/distillermagazine/new-release-roundup-december-2024/ Reviewed this issue:— Burdekin Wild Child Rum (North Queensland, Australia)— Oishii Sake (Virginia, USA)— Local Motion RTDs (Mill Valley, CA)— Socorro Tequila (Texas and Jalisco, Mexico)— Middle West Spirits Vim… Read more →
I’ve been covering “the Windy City” via articles since 2009, but researching and digging deep in Chicago since 2000. Chi-town is one of the U.S.’ greatest culinary cities, a broad, deep metropolis of roughly 10 million, with over 2.5 million in Chicago proper. In addition to my recent 10 bars article at Distiller Magazine, here I cover 10 of Chicago’s newer standout restaurants I visited this past year: Read more →
It’s that time of year again: sifting through the hundreds of new SF Bay Area restaurants and bars I visited this year — plus a few hundred more internationally and across the U.S. Here are the newcomers that stand out most — 10 restaurants, 8 bars and 10 honorable mention eateries — opened between November 2023 and December 2024. Read more →
Change is hard, especially when a beloved restaurant, Gozu, morphs into something entirely new: The Wild, starting September 2024. Read more →
Reviewed this issue:
— MUYU Liqueurs
— Monkey 47 Distillers Cut: Caper Gin
— Wilderton Aperitivo Co. Non-Alcoholic
— Sun & Shine Cocktails RTDs
— Manojo Mezcal
— Luxardo Bitters
— Maen Japanese Whisky
and more Read more →
From celebratory New Year’s bubbly to wintery whites and reds, here are 14 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals or occasions… Read more →
These newcomers or new menus cover the gamut, from Peruvian to pizza. Alongside my latest restaurant reviews, these seven are also worth visiting: Read more →
Published in the Fall 2024 print issue of Distiller Magazine:
— 10 of Chicago’s best bars Read more →
Published in the Fall 2024 print issue of Distiller Magazine:
My interview with Zak McMahon & Jeremy Barrett of Lemon bar
—My interview with distiller Jamie Walter of Whiskey Acres Distilling just outside Chicago Read more →